Project 135i
We've already admitted to an embarrassing lull in the development of our `08 BMW 135i. However, we're about to gain some momentum with the arrival of our new BMW Performance Parts.
We announced their availability in the 5/08 issue and online at www.eurotuner.com They were hinted at on BMW's 1-Series tii concept car and we'd been trying to get our hands on some parts ever since. Finally, our perseverance paid off when we received a shipment a few weeks ago.
The appeal of the Performance Parts range is that it's manufactured by BMW to its own, extremely high standards. Therefore, we're expecting fit and finish to be exemplary, reducing the time spent at South Bay BMW having it installed. Furthermore, none of the parts will invalidate your warranty and you can add them to your new car finance package if you have it fitted from new.
We'll take you through the fitting procedure in future issues but let's look at what's in store.
For starters, we went with BMW's Performance wheels. These are 18" and similar in style to the M3 wheel. Admittedly, it's a downgrade from the 19s we currently run, but they will allow the tire deflation system to operate again, and we're sure they won't rub like our 19s do!
We also have a suspension kit of springs and dampers. We don't want to sacrifice the existing H&R Street coilovers because they perform so well. However, they're extremely low and we're worried the new front spoiler could be wrecked if we don't change it over (the H&R sway bars will remain regardless).
The aero kit includes the aforementioned spoiler and side skirts. Then there's a stunning carbon rear diffuser, trunk spoiler and mirror housings. More carbon will find its way to the interior in the form of a trim kit for the dash, doors and console. There's also the trick steering wheel with its shift lights and stopwatch. It's a flashy piece of kit and we can't wait to see how it works.
The only performance modification is a BMW sports exhaust, which promises a better sound. We hope to dyno it to see if there are gains to be had.
For now, we're having fun making temporary homes from the huge shipping boxes, and we should have at least some parts fitted by next month. But you know how that goes... Greg
Project Silverstone
Just before the holiday season, DRS Performance helped fix a coolant leak in our '03 VW GTI 1.8T. But weeks later, our Mk4 was broken into outside a Las Vegas casino. Parked in a "secure" structure for less than an hour, we returned to find the passenger-side window shattered. Glass was spread throughout the interior and nobody witnessed the incident.
With luck on our side, nothing was stolen, meaning either a passing car spooked the perpetrators or it was a group of vandals just messing around. Either way, it was a headache for us but we were lucky nothing worse happened.
Surprisingly, we noticed the factory alarm didn't go off. Our GTI could have easily been stripped of its parts or stolen without a single witness to be found. So after fixing the window, we spoke to the people at Zenesis Electronics (www.zenesisalarms.com) and we're working together to install a proper security system on Project Silverstone. In the coming weeks, we'll have its ZN-502 alarm installed, which includes a remote control that tells us where on the car the alarm was triggered via built-in shock sensors. Stay tuned for a complete installation guide and alarm impressions. To all Euro drivers out there, be careful! SAM